HIGH NOTES: Seneca High School presents ‘Charlie Brown’

SENECA — Seneca Township High School presents “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at 7 p.m. this coming Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2, in the high school auditorium.

Tickets are $5 in advance or call (815) 357-5000) or at the door.

Call ahead for reservations at (815) 357-5000.

JJC presents ‘Mystery of Edwin Drood’

JOLIET, Ill. — The JJC Fine Arts Department Theatre presents “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” Feb. 28 through March 3 in the Fine Arts Theatre on Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28- March 1, and 2 p.m. March 2-3.

A winner of five Tony Awards, including musical, book and score, this play-within-a-play kicks off when the Music Hall Royale (a loony Victorian musical troupe) puts on its flamboyant rendition of the unfinished Charles Dickens novel, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”

The story itself deals with an opium-addicted choirmaster who is obsessed with his music student, who is, in turn, engaged to the choirmaster’s nephew, young Edwin Drood. Drood disappears mysteriously one stormy Christmas Eve, but has he been murdered? One of the plays most talked about features allows the audience to vote on the solution as prelude to the most unusual and fun finale.

With book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, this production is directed by Tammy Perkins with music direction by Sue Malmberg and choreography by Jeni Donahue. The production is stage managed by Emma McGee of Joliet and is assisted by Chris Floyd of Elwood and Jonathan M. Boehle of Cornell.

The cast includes two local students, Travis Cisco of Morris and Richard Isemonger of Minooka.

Tickets are $8 for the general public, $5 for seniors, and additional discounts are available for JJC faculty, staff and all students. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the box office at (815) 280-2200. Visa, Master Card and Discover are now being accepted.

Additionally, as part of an ongoing community service initiative, audience members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items which can be exchanged for items at the concession stand. All contributions will be donated to area shelters.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at www.riversedgetheatre.com or at the door prior to the performance. A cash bar is available in the lobby, and will be open before and during the show.

The production is appropriate for all ages, and will feature local actors and actresses in a completely improvised setting. Suggestions are taken from the audience to create a 90 minute production, guaranteed to make you laugh.

“Once in a while, we even get the audience on stage,” said Danielle Pagoria, director of the Improv Team. “Kids love seeing mom and dad on stage as a part of the scene.”

Unlike other improv shows, PR Productions performs the entire show without a script, without any formal structure, and without any idea of what the audience may suggest. There is even improvised music and lighting design.

One game that has become quite popular among returning crowds is called “Moving People.” In this game, two members from the audience act as puppeteers for two actors. The actors can’t move unless the audience member moves for them.

Another game that seems to leave the crowd in tears laughing is called “Dating Game,” and follows the structure of the famous TV show, with an improvised twist.

PR Productions also adds new games to the show on a consistent basis.

“We don’t want the audience to see the same games time and time again,” said Pagoria. “We add at least 2 or 3 new games every month. We have about 35 different games in our repertoire, with more added all the time.”

The group performs the popular “Improv Comedy Night” on the first Saturday of every month at the River’s Edge Theatre.

For more information on PR Productions’ Improv Comedy Night, log on to www.wewantpr.com.

Minooka High School to present “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!”

MINOOKA — Minooka Community High School proudly presents the Frank Loesser musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!” at 7 p.m. March 14, 15,and 16 in the MCHS - Central Campus Performing Arts Center.

Tickets, which cost $8 per adult and $6 per student/senior citizen, can be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com (search “Minooka”).

Please note that the March 14 show features open seating, and that March 15 and 16 shows feature reserved seating.

Tickets will also be available at the door on the evening of each performance. Doors open at 6 p.m. on the evening of each performance.

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!” is a story about the triumph of the common man. The hero is a window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch. After Finch happens upon a book entitled “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” he decides to begin his rise up the corporate ladder.

Following the instructions of the book, Finch lands a job in the mailroom at the World Wide Wicket Company. With the help of his handy book, Finch quickly gains promotions and outsmarts his rival, Frump - who also happens to be the boss’s nephew. Finch then gains the love of Rosemary, a secretary at the company.

In the end, however, after Finch’s ad campaign goes awry, the book can no longer help him. He is forced to rely on his own wits and performs so admirably that he is promoted to Chairman of the Board.

Mrs. Glenda Smith is the production’s director, and Mrs. Patricia Grawey-Beeler is the production’s choreographer.

Morris Library offers Vintage Craft Series

Are you looking for a great centerpiece or something to add a splash of color to any room?

The Morris Area Public Library’s Vintage Craft program will be offered at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 14.

The event offers the opportunity for people to learn how to make vintage paper roses.

Registration is required, so reserve a spot by calling (815) 942-6880 or stop by the library.

The Morris Area Public Library is located at 604 Liberty St. in Morris.